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FACT BRIEF

Is there a shortage of mental health professionals in Wisconsin?

By Erin Gretzinger
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YES

In the wake of COVID-19, mental health providers have said the demand for mental health services exceeds the supply of professionals in Wisconsin. The shortage has increased wait times for patients and left general practice doctors to fill in the coverage gaps. 

This trend predates the pandemic. According to data from 2019, 52 of the state’s 72 counties were designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, or HPSAs, for mental health. To meet the federal HPSA requirements, an area’s population must have a psychiatrist-individual ratio of 20,000: 1 or higher and lack access to professionals in neighboring areas.

In 2019, Wisconsin's average patient-to-psychiatrist ratio was 490:1, while the nation’s top state ratio was 290:1. 

As a result of the pandemic, the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health predicts there will be a sharp increase in the number of providers needed in coming years.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel COVID-19 has only worsened a mental health crisis. A Carroll University program wants to put people to work to help.
Wisconsin Department Of Health Services Number of Psychiatrist FTEs Needed to Remove Shortages for the Resident Population
Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet Addressing Shortages in the Mental Health Workforce
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Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.